U.S markets spent most of the week listening to noise out of Washington regarding Travel Ban legal challenges and cabinet appointment nomination hearings. With little in terms market moving economic data financial markets were trying to determine if recent run up to record levels left assets overvalued. Wednesday that noise turned to music as a Trump Olive branch letter to China’s President Xi Jinping promised a “constructive relationship”.

The letter, coupled with Trump promises of ‘Phenomenal’ tax plan pushed U.S markets to fresh record highs. So while fears grow that the U.S foreign policy is leaning more toward protectionism and isolationism, market friendly fiscal policy is allowing us to look past the noise.

An interesting global central bank story is developing where monetary policy is beginning to become independent of each other. Some Central Banks are now raising, some are cutting, many still standing put; but we are no longer moving in lockstep.

This should create many global trading opportunities in fixed income securities. Earnings season will continue to wind down with 67 companies (heavy in techs) reporting next week. Economic releases next week will give the FED a clearer picture on inflation with Tuesday’s PPI, Wednesday CPI and retail sales and Thursday’s housing starts and building permits.

Although, recent releases statements have indicated the FED is happy to hold rates unchanged a little longer. FED Chairwomen Yellen has a full week as she appears before Senate Banking Panel on Tuesday followed by her Semi-Annual testimony to the House Panel on Wednesday. Investors are also starting to look at valuations as the S&P 500 P.E ratio rose to 21.2. We have seen it higher, but as we approach a P.E of 24 and 25, many will be looking to book some profits.

So, overall investors will continue to dance with the market as long as the music continues, but watch those valuations and inflation indicators.

Larry Peruzzi

Managing Director International Trading

Mischler Financial Group

Investment Banking | Institutional Brokerage

Ph: 1-617-420-8472

Larry Peruzzi is a 20 yr global trading markets veteran and brings a unique perspective to global equities market commentary via Mischler Financial Group, the securities industry’s oldest minority broker-dealer owned and operated by service-disabled veterans. Larry’s experience and best execution perspective stems from his sitting on ‘both sides of the aisle.’ For more than half of Larry’s career, he ran buy-side trading desks for Standish Mellon and thereafter, The Boston Company. In both of those roles, Larry was responsible for implementing and managing international equities trade execution. Larry’s perspectives are frequently cited by the leading financial news publishers, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg LP and Reuters

Peruzzi’s Perch is a weekly synopsis of Everything Equities as seen from the perch of Mischler Financial Group’s International Equities Desk. Cited by Wall Street Letter in each of 2014, 2015 and 2016 for “Best Research / Broker-Dealer”, Peruzzi’s Perch is one of four distinctive content pieces produced by Mischler Financial Group.